Self-loading device for shaker conveyers



My 1948- L.. D. HAGENBOOK SELF-LADING DEVICE FOR SHAKER CONVEYERS 4Sheets-Sheet lA Filed Aug. 23, 1946 uw v v 4 .www mm.

July 6 w48 D. HAGENBooK 2,444,60

SELF-LOADING DEVICE FOR S'HAKER CONVEYERS Filed Aug. 2s, 194e v 4sheets-sheet 2 0.//a ook Clitorneg July 6, 1948.

L. D. HAGENBOOK Filed Aug. v2s, 194e I q I l I l l.

I "5 w I I I I I I I I I I 4 sheetsfsnt s Patented July 6, 1948SELF-LOADING DEVICE FOR SHAKER l CONVEYERS Loy D.- Hagenbook, Chicago,Ill., assignor to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., acorporation of Illinois Application August 23, 1946, Serial No. 692,546

8 Claims. (Cl. 198-14)V This invention relates to improvements inself-loading devices for shaker conveyors of the type uti-lized forpicking up coal, rock, or the like Ifrom the ground in mines, and has asits principal objects to provide a novel and compact form of draftdevice mounted beneath the extensible trough of a shaker conveyor troughline, for moving said trough laterally about a swivel in the troughline, and including a single flexible draft member adapted to be securedat its ends at points spaced laterally from opposite sides of saidtrough, together with an im- `proved form of compensating means fortaking care of angular movement of said trough with respect to saiddraft member.

'This and other objects of my invention will appear from time to time`as the following speciiication proceeds and with reference to theaccompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a loading device constructed inaccordance with my invention;

. Figure 2 is an eniarged plan View of the forward end of the loadingdevice, with certain parts of the extensible and reciprocating troughsbroken away and certain parts of the draft device shown in horizontalsection;

, Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary View in side elevation of theloading device, with certainparts broken away and lcertain other partsshown in substantially longitudinal section;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional View taken substantiallyalong line 4-4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the draft device, withcertainparts broken away and certain other parts shown in substantiallyhorizontal section.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings includesgenerally an extensible trough I having a pick-up member or shovel .IIon its forward end,'which serves to slidably support the forward end ofsaid extensible trough on the ground. A rear end of said extensibletrough is supported-above the ground on a ground-engaging shoe I2 in awell known manner and no part of my present invention, and so, notherein shown or described in detail.

The extensible trough I0 has two bearing plates I3, I3 which extendalong its upper outer edges and form a supporting means for the for-Ward end of a reciprocating trough I on rollers I6, I6, mounted onopposite upright sides I1, I1 of a supporting frame I8. Bearing shoesI9, I9 mounted on said upright sides of said supporting, frame areadapted to engage the under sur- 2 v faces of said bearing-plates toprevent vertical displacement of said troughs with respect to eachother.

The bearing plates I3, I3 are also adapted to be engaged by frictiongrip blocks 20,` 20 of a friction grip feeding device 2l duringalternate strokes of the conveyor, flor extensibly or retractibly movingthe extensible trough I0 with respect to the reciprocating trough I5, orfor reciprocablly moving said extensible and reciprocating troughstogether. Said friction grip feeding device may be of a type shown anddescribed in an application Serial No. 670,490, filed by William W.Sloane on May 17, 1946, now Patent No. 2,434,127, issued January 6,1948, and is no part of my'present invention so need not herein be shownor described in detail.

The reciprocating trough I5 -is connected to and is reciprocably drivenfrom the shaker conveyor trough line through an articulated troughconnection or swivel 23. Said'sw-ivel is soarranged as to form a'rneansfor controlling lateral movement of said reciprocating and saidextensible troughs, and to permit the continuous flow of material alongsaid reciprocating trough and swivel to the outby end of the troughline. Said swivel may be of any well known :form and is no part of mypresent invention except in so far as it connects the reciprocatingtrough with the conveyor trough line and forms a pivotal reaction memberfor said reciprocating and extensible troughs, so need not herein beshown or described further.- u

An elongated supporting and guide frame 24 is connected at its rear endto a laterally movable shoe 2.5 of the swivel 23 for movement therewithabout a stationary base 21 of said swivel. Said supporting and guideframe extends beneath the reciprocating trough I5 to a point beyond theforward end thereof and is held from reciprocation during operation ofthe conveyor by the shoe 25 and base 21. Said frame forms anonreciprocating reaction and guide means for the extensible andreciprocating troughs I0 and I5, for laterally moving said troughs withrespect to the stationary base 21 along a flexible draft member or chain29 upon lateral move-ment of said frame along said draft member. l

The frame 24 has the forward end ofthe reciprocating trough I5 siidablysupported thereon on two laterally spaced longitudinally extending guidetracks 30, 30. Said guide tracks are'mounted on and extend alongopposite outer sides of the forward portion of said frame and forwardlybeyond the forward end of said frame the forward end of thenon-reciprocating frame 24 on transversely extending pivotal pins 33,33.'

Said floating frame has floating engagement with the ground at itsforward end and forms a support means for the draft meanstffo'r movingther extensible and reciprocating troughs andf l5\ later-ally along thechain 29.` Said pivotal pins= 2 extend through laterally spaced lugs 34,34 prov jecting forwardly from the forward end of said non-reciprocatingframe and throughA lugs 35,t

projecting rearwardly from opposite sides of said `oati-ng frame andextending along opposite sides of said lugs 34, 34.

The means for moving the extensible and reciprocating troughs along thechain 29 and for holding said troughs in various xed positions alongsaid chain, includes a sprocket wheel 3G keyed on .a vertical shaft 3.1disposed adjacent the -forward portion of said floating frame, andherein shown as being located at the longitudinal centerof said frame.Said shaft is journaled at its vlower end in the base plate of saidiioating frame and is journaled at its upper end in a top cover portionvof a housing and bearing support 3.8; for the reduction gearing, fordriving said sprocket wheel from a motor 39. Said motor is hereinshown-as being a reversible compactly arranged .uid `motor of alowvyertical height, so it may readily t lbeneath said extensible troughwithout increasing the vertical height of the loading device, but `maybe a reversible electric motor or any other type of compactly-arrangedreversiblev motor. i y e The drive fromV the motor `39 to the sprocketStincludes aworm on a transverse shaft 4l.

Said shaft is driven from said motor through a spur gear reductionindicated generally by reference character 42. (see Figure 5). Said Wormmesheswith `and drives a worm` gear 43 keyed on va vertical` shaft At4,which is journaled adjacent its upper and llower ends in the housing andbearing support 38. Said worm and gear are of a self-locking typey so asto hold the shovel H in any desired position when the motor 39 isstopped. Saidl motor may also be hydraulically locked from rotation ifdesired. A spur gear is keyed on said yshaft beneath saidworm gear andmeshes with and drives a spur -gear 46 keyed on. the vertical 'shaft 3l,above `the sprocket Wheel 36.

The chain 29 istrained around-the forward end of and rearwardly alongand beyond opposite sides of the sprocket wheel 36, to and aroundlaterally spaced tension idlers `49, 49. Said tension idlers servetohold said chain inengagement with saidr'sprocket Wheel andk maintaintension thereon,l and are disposed rearwardly of and on each side ofsaid sprocket wheel and are guided in the iioating` frame 3l formovement longitudinally therealong, as will hereinafter more clearlyappear asithis-specication proceeds. From said tension idlersv saidchain is trained in a forward direction to and around guide idlers 50,at opposite sides of said oating frame. Said-chain is trained: laterallyfrom said guide idlers from-opposite sides Vof the machine, anditstfreeendsare adapted to be held in fixed relation with respect to the groundas by jacks or the like (not shown), interposed between the mine roofand ground, so that upon operation of the motor 39 in one direction oranother, said extensible trough and shovel will move laterally alongsaid chain about the swivel23 in the desired;direction,l to position theshovel H to pickup loose Nmaterial from various positions along theentire Working face.

Each tension idler 49 is mounted on a vertical shaft 5,2, which ismounted at its opposite ends in'a clevis-likemember 5l, extending alongthe upper and lower sides of said tension idler. A

lowerside 53 ofsaid clevis-like member has outwardly projecting V-shapedsides which are guided in .corresponding recessed portions of a guideA5,4, which is formed in the bottom plate of the floating frame 3l andextends longitudinally therealong (see Figure 4) The closed rear portionof each clevis-like member 5l has ears 56,56 projecting laterally fromopposite sides thereof. Said ears are slidably guided on parallel spacedrods 59, 59, which extend longitudinally of said base plate. Said rodsaresecuredat theirfor-ward ends to laterally spaced lugs El! and Elprojecting upwardly from said base plate, and are secured at theirrearward ends to a rib B2, which extends across the rear end` of saidbasefplate of said oating frame. A A pairoi spaced ears 63 extendrearwardly from theclosed portion of each clevis-lik'e ymember -E'I andhave the end o f a tension spring `64 extending therebetween andsuitably connected thereto. The opposite end of each of saidl tensionsprings is connected to an ear lil-extending forwardly from a transverserib 6E; of the supportingA and guide frame 24;

Thetension springs `t4, 64 are always under tension in all positions ofthe tension idlers 43,49 along the guides 54, 54, so that when the;chain 29 is trained around said tension idlers and is secured at itsends Aat points spaced laterally from the frame 24, with the slack takenout of said chain on both sides of said sprocket,v said springs willmaintain 4tension on the slack side of said chain and will hold saidchain in driving engagement with the sprocketA wheell 36. Dur-ing travel`of said frame lalong said chains, said springs may yield=,independentlyof each other so one spring may exert a pull on its associated tensionidler-and maintain tension on the,v slack side of said chain, while theother spring may yield to compensate for angularity in movement of theextensible trough` lll about the swivel 23, with respectto said endlesschain, to cause the tension. of said chain to be substantially constantat various positions of said extensible trough therealong.

While I have herein shown anddescribedv one form in which my yinventionmay be embodied; it will Ibeunderstood that the-construction there'- ofand the arrangement of the various parts may be altered withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wishto-be construed asrlimiting my invention'tofthe specific embodimentillustrated, excepting as it may be limited in: the appendedE claims.:

l claim as myinventionr-I f l. In a shaker conveyor, an extensibletrough having a pick-up member on its forward end', means for laterallyfeeding saidiextensibleftrough and pick-upnmember includingsa l'exiblefeeding member adapted to:V extend' laterally4 fromI opposite sides ofisaid extensibleutrough andlto `be? held from movement-with respect' tothe. g-round'xat-tsI tension on the slack side thereof.

ends,a power driven wheel for moving said extensible trough along saidflexible feeding member; -and means engaging, said .flexible feedingmember for holding said flexible feeding membei'- in engagement withsaid wheel and maintaining tension on the slack side of said flexiblefeeding member during movement of said trough therealong including aguide idler spaced to one side of said wheel and having said flexiblefeeding member trained laterally therefrom, a tension idler disposedbetween said wheel and4 said guide idler and having the bightof saidflexible feeding member trained therearound, and a yieldable member formoving said tension idler in a direction to maintain said flexiblefeeding member in engagement with -said wheel and maintain 2, Ina shakerconveyor, an extensible trough havinga pick-up member on its forwardend, means for laterally feeding said extensible trough and pick-upmember including a flexible feeding member `adapted to extend laterallyfrom opposite -sides of said extensible trough and to be held frommovement with respect to the ground at its ends, a power driven wheelfoi` moving said extensible trough along said flexible feeding member,and means yieldably engaging said flexible feeding member for holdingsaid flexible feeding member in engagement with said wheel and formaintaining tension on the slack side thereof during movement of saidtrough therealong including a guide idler spaced to one side of saidwheel and having said flexible feeding member trained laterallytherefrom, a tension idler disposed between said wheel and said guideidler and having the bight of said flexible feeding member trainedtherearound, means for guiding said tension idler for movement towardsand from said wheel, and a spring for moving said tension idler alongsaid guide means in a direction to maintain a predetermined tension onthe slack side of said iiexible feeding member.

3. In a shaker conveyor, an extensible trough having a pick-up member onits forward end, means for laterally feeding said extensible trough andpick-up member including a flexible feeding member, guide means disposedbeneath and adjacent opposite sides of said extensible trough forguiding said flexible feeding member laterally from opposite sidesthereof, to permit said flexible feeding member to be held from movementwith respect to the ground adjacent its opposite ends, a wheel disposedintermediate said guide means and having engagement with said flexiblefeeding member for moving said extensible trough laterally along saidflexible feeding member, a tension idler disposed on each side of saidwheel and engaging the bights of said flexible feeding member onopposite sides of said wheel, and means for yieldably urging saidtension idlers in directions to maintain tension on the slack side ofsaid flexible feeding member and to compensate for angular movement ofsaid extensible trough with respect to said flexible feeding member.

4. In a shaker conveyor, an extensible trough having a pick-up member onits forward end, means for laterally feeding said extensible trough andpick-up member including a exible feeding member, guide sheaves disposedbeneath and adjacent opposite sides of said extensible trough forguiding said flexible feeding member laterally from opposite sidesthereof, to permit said flexible feeding member to be secured to theground adjacent its opposite ends, a drive wheel disposed intermediatesaid sheaves and having engagement with said flexible feeding member formoving said extensibleA trough'laterally along said flexible feedingmember, .a tension idler disposed on veach side of saiddrive wheel andengaging the bights of said flexible feeding member on opposite sides ofsaid drive wheel, means for guiding said tension idlers for' movementtowards and from said drive wheel and guide sheaves, and tension springsfor urging saidtension idlers in' directions to maintain tension on theslack side of said flexible feeding member-and compensate for angularmovement of said extensible trough with respect to said flexible feedingmember,

5. Ina device for laterally vmoving the extensible trough ofa shakerconveyor about ar swivel in a conveyor trough line, a frame havingconnection with said swivel `at its rear end and extending along andhaving engagement with oppositesides of said extensible trough, twoguide sprockets mOuntedatoppOSite sides of said frame adjacent theforward end thereof, a reversibly driven drive sprocket disposed betweensaid guide sprockets adjacent the forward end of said frame, a Vflexiblechain adapted to be secured to fixed abutments at its ends and mesh withsaid drive sprocketand extend laterally from said guide sprockets, two.laterally spaced tension-*idlers spaced rearwardly of said guidesprockets beneath said extensible trough on opposite sides of said drivesprocket and guided in said frame for movement longitudinally thereof,the bights of said chain between said drive sprocket and said guidesprockets being trained around said tension idlers, and separateyieldable means connected with each of said tension idlers forindependently urging said idlers in directions to compensate fordifferences in length of said chain caused by angular movement of saidframe and extensible trough with respect to said chain.

6. In a device f-or laterally moving the extensible trough of a shakerconveyor about a. swivel in a conveyor trough line, :a frame havingconnection with said swivel at its rear end and extending along andhaving engagement with opposite sides of said extensible trough, twoguide sprockets mounted at opposite sides of said extensible trough, twoguide s-prockets mounted at opposite sides of said frame adjacent theforward end thereof, a reversibly driven drive sprocket disposed betweensaid guide sprockets adjacent the forward end of said frame, a flexiblechain adapted to :be secured to fixed abutments at its ends andA meshwith said drive sprocket and extend laterally from said guide sprockets,two tension idlers disposed rearwardly of said drive sprocket and havingengagement with the bights of said chain between opposite sides of saiddrive sprocket Iand said guide sprockets, longitudinal guides on saidframe for guiding said tension idlers for movement along said frametowards and from said drive sprocket, and a separate tension springhaving connection with each of said tension idlers for independentlyurging said tension idlers in directions to compensate for differencesin length of said chain caused by angular movement of said extensibletrough with respect to said chain.

'7. In a device for laterally moving the extensible trough of a shakerconveyor about a swivel in a conveyor trough line, a frame havingconnection with said swivel at its rear end and extending along andhaving engagement with opposite sides of said extensible trough, twoguide sprockets mounted at opposite sides of said frame adjacent theforward end thereof, a drive emana sprocketniisposed between eglidesprockets, adexixhle chain :adapted lto tber :secured tto 7fixed itsVends :andmesh with fsaiddrive sprocket'tmd entend zlaterally from .saidguide sprockets, ltwo 'laterally spaced tension v.idlers spaced;rearwardiy of .said tg'uide sprockets on 'opposite :sides fof saidndrive:sproket, means i'for guidingssaid tension Iidlers :Tfor movement."along said-:frame vtowards andifrmnsaid drive sprocket,

'theerbights-.Lof ksaid chain between lsaid Idrive sprocket- :nndfsaid:guide sprocket being :trained around-said ftension'idlers, a' motormounted on said frameibeneathpsaid extensible trough, a drive connectionfromsaidmotor to-saidl'sprocket, and afyieidahle nnem'b'erconnected'with each of said tensionzidlers dorf independentlyV urgingsaid. idlers in 'direotionsito maintain .tension on the slack side .ofsaid' chain v.and to rmmpensate `for differ- :ences in -flength of`said. chain fcaused -Jbyangular movement of said frame Yand extensibletrough r viith'frespect to. said chain.-

`fiLfIn. Ia, device for 4laterally moving the ex- -tensikle .trough of'a shaker conveyor about a swivel'i'na conveyor :trough line, .ia framehaving connectionrwith .said swivel iat its rear end and extending along`and :having .engagement with opposite s'idesfofsaid extensible trough,-twoguide 8 sprocketsmounted-at opposite lsides o'cffsaidrframe adjacent`the forward 4end thereof, a `drive sprocket disposed'between said guidesprockets 'adjacent the vrforward end of said frame, a 'flex-'- iblechain-adaptedv to be secured to xed abut- 'mentsl atits `ends land meshwith said drive `sprocket-rand extend laterally from said guidesprockets, two Vtension idlers disposed rearwardly of `said drivesprocket and having engagement with the bights-of said chain betweensaid guide sprockets and opposite' sides of said drive sprocket,longitudinal guides in said `frame for guiding said tension :idlers formovement along -said frame, a reversible motor mounted `on said framebeneath said extensible trough, a self -1ocking-drive connection-fromsaid motor to said drive sprocket, for driving said sprocket in reversedirections and-#forfhoiding said sprocket fromrotation, and aseparatetension spring connected with each -ofsaid tension idlers forindependently urging 'said-tension idlers in directions `to maintaintension on `the slack side of said chain and to Com- -pensate ffordififer'ences in length of said chain Acaused-by angular movement ofsaid extensible trough withrespect to said chain.

LOY D. HAGENBOOK.

